Tiesj Benoot (27) is leaving Team DSM. His ongoing contract has been terminated, in consultation with both parties. His new team will, in all probability, be Jumbo-Visma.
By Thijs Zonneveld
It seemed so logical two years ago. After years in Belgian service, Tiesj Benoot was ready for something different. A different environment, a more scientific approach. No sooner had he entered Iwan Spekenbrink’s team than he won a stage in Paris-Nice. He drove like a jet fighter, he made his teammates go faster and in the 2020 Tour he was one of the stars. Benoot happy, team happy. It was right. It is not without reason that his contract was extended until the end of 2022.
There is not much left of that mutual satisfaction. Last season things went wrong between Benoot and the team. Because of the results, but even more so because of the atmosphere in the team. Like several other riders at DSM, Benoot struggled with the sometimes strict approach of the team; conversely, the team management thought that he did not put enough energy back into the team and that his position did not benefit the atmosphere. For some time now, Benoot, his manager and the DSM team management have been discussing the termination of his contract on terms that are acceptable to all parties. That has now – finally – succeeded. Benoot will leave DSM, a year before his contract expires.
His new team will, in all probability, also be a Dutch one. Benoot is in advanced discussions with Jumbo-Visma, which sees him as the ideal addition to the classic team. The team was not looking for extra riders, but made an exception for Benoot, partly because leader Wout van Aert worked hard for him.
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